Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.Ĭheck out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton.

Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances.

You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture.

Stoughton Village Players Theater Original Presentation.

Canoe Race & Portage on the Yahara River.

Edvard Grieg Chorus at the Stoughton Opera House.

20-Mile Run, 10-Mile Run, 17-Mile Walk, and Lil’ Community Run.

These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s. After being cancelled in 2020, the festivities are scheduled to resume in 2021 on the dates of Friday, May 14th through Sunday, May 16th.įrom the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai.

Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family.

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